Climbing Kilimanjaro Without the Crowds
How to Climb Kilimanjaro Without the Crowds: A Guide to a More Serene Summit
Are you dreaming of conquering Africa’s highest peak but dread the idea of sharing the trail with hundreds of other trekkers? You’re not alone. Mount Kilimanjaro, standing tall at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), attracts thousands of climbers each year. However, with some strategic planning, you can experience this magnificent mountain in relative solitude. Here’s your guide to climbing Kilimanjaro without the crowds.
Mount Kilimanjaro Trip Environment
Kilimanjaro is among the most biodiverse places on the planet, transitioning from arid savanna at its base to rainforest, subalpine forests, and then alpine meadows over a distance of less than 30 kilometers as the crow flies. The weather on the mountain is just as diverse and transient.
The climb begins in a belt of wet tropical forest before shifting to zones of lower temperatures and less rainfall. The summit is covered in glacial ice, with sub-freezing temperatures and clouds that usually produce snow. Our climb occurs during the wet season (between March and early June) when temperatures tend to be warmer, and there are fewer people on the mountain. Rainfall is typically concentrated in the forest, and the higher elevations can be quite clear.
Our primary reason for traveling during this season is the lack of other climbers, as April gives us a dramatic reduction in crowding. Over the years, we have encountered snow occasionally and rain in the lowlands, but it has not impacted summit teams. With the right gear and attitude, the benefits of climbing during the quieter “rainy season” far outweigh the potential inconveniences of moisture. There is a reason why National Geographic, Discovery, and other TV companies typically choose to shoot documentaries during the rainy season in Tanzania! Both the wildlife and the lush vegetation come alive during this time, making it a spectacular part of your Kilimanjaro experience.
Secondarily, climbing during the low season provides much needed work and support for the guides and porters that work on the mountain. For each climber on the trip, the wages feed ~ 4 families for a month, something that is needed during the non-peak seasons.
Book a private climb to Mount Kilimanjaro
One way to guarantee that your trekking experience on Kilimanjaro will be open is to book a private climb. It’s the simplest way to avoid the crowd.
Based on your preferences and with the help of our Kilimanjaro professionals, Mount Kilimanjaro Guide can help you craft your dream Kilimanjaro tour. Our climbers have two to three porters and a team of cooks and guides.
Thus, as the number of people joins the tour, the total number of people on the trail is easily multiplied. Booking a private climb allows you to choose how many people you want to be included or if you desire to go solo.
You’ll also control when you’d like to set out for the day and how fast to hike. Furthermore, you’ll also have the flexibility to take breaks when you want to, with the approval of the lead guide.
Note: Starting your daily hikes before the usual hike time of a group tour schedule time, which is 8 AM, will let you be on the trail before 90% of the climbers who are sticking to their schedule
